शनैः शनैरुपरमेद्बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया। आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत्॥
śhanaiḥ śhanair uparamed buddhyā dhṛiti-gṛihītayā ātma-saṁsthaṁ manaḥ kṛitvā na kiñchid api chintayet
Meaning
Gradually, step by step, one should become established in stillness through the intellect held steady by conviction. Fixing the mind on the Self, one should think of nothing else.
The key word is 'gradually' — meditation mastery takes time. Patient, steady progress is better than forceful straining. A firm intellectual conviction supports the practice. Eventually, the mind rests naturally in the Self and thinking subsides — not forced suppression but natural quiet. This is the goal toward which we move step by step.
Strength Reflection
"I progress gradually and steadily, trusting that the mind will eventually become still."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, give me patience for the gradual path, and conviction that leads to stillness in You.